Kipyegon takes on the Mile as she chases eighth Pre Classic victory in July

Faith Kipyegon/ FILE

Quadruple world 1,500m champion Faith Kipyegon is set to return to the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene on July 4, where she will switch gears to the Mile, exactly a year after obliterating her own 1,500m world record on the same track.

‎At the 2025 Prefontaine Classic, Kipyegon delivered a masterclass, storming to a world record of 3:48.68 in the 1,500m, eclipsing her previous mark of 3:49.04 set in Paris in 2024.

‎Her performance at the Pre Classic made her the first woman in history to dip under the 3:49 barrier. That explosive outing in Eugene proved the perfect springboard for the Tokyo World Championships, where she underlined her dominance by clinching her fourth global title over 1,500m in 3:52.15, adding to her previous victories in 2017, 2022 and 2023.

‎Diamond League organisers have confirmed Kipyegon’s return to Hayward Field, a venue that has become synonymous with her record-breaking exploits and commanding performances.

‎“It’s a historic moment, for the first time since joining the Diamond League, the Nike Pre Classic will feature a women’s mile race,” read part of the organisers’ announcement.

‎Kipyegon, clearly relishing the prospect, shared her excitement on social media with a brief but telling message: “Can’t wait.”

‎She heads into the Eugene showdown as the reigning world record holder in the Mile, courtesy of her 4:07.64 run in Monaco in 2023. ‎The Kenyan distance ace has also flirted with the sub-four-minute frontier, famously attempting to rewrite history at the Nike Breaking4 event in Paris in June 2025. 

‎Although she fell short of the mythical barrier, her 4:06.42 outing only reinforced her status as the undisputed queen of middle-distance running. ‎The Prefontaine Classic has long been fertile ground for Kipyegon’s brilliance.

‎She first graced the meet in 2013, finishing second in the 1,500m in 4:01.08 behind compatriot Hellen Obiri, who clocked 3:58.58. ‎A year later, she placed third in 3:58.01, again trailing Obiri (3:57.05) and Sweden’s Abeba Aregawi (3:57.57). She briefly stepped up in distance at the 2015 edition, finishing second in the 5,000m in 14:31.95 behind Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba (14:19.76).

‎From there, Kipyegon ignited a dominant streak in the 1,500m, going unbeaten in every subsequent appearance at the meet. 

‎The run began with victory in 2016 (3:56.41) and extended triumphs in 2017 (3:59.67), 2019 (3:59.04), 2021 (3:53.23), 2022 (3:52.59), 2023 (3:50.72) and most recently in 2025.

‎Beyond Eugene, Kipyegon has also been pencilled in for a 3,000m outing at the Monaco Diamond League on July 10. ‎She has already signalled her intent for the 2026 season with a commanding start. 

‎The double Olympic champion opened her campaign on the roads in Monaco on February 15, clocking a sharp 29:47 to take top honours in the 10km race. Britain’s Maddie Jordan-Lee settled for second in 34:24, while France’s Augustine Emeraux completed the podium in 34:50.